Wire-fence-making machine.



No. 633,2!3. Patented Sept. l9, I899.

.1. c. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 21, 1899.) ("1? Model.) 9 $heets haet l.

m. 633,2l3. Patenfed Sept I9, I899;

J. G. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

(Applicntion filed Jan. 21, 1899.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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l I'I |ll l II I M!" N0. 633,2l3. E patenteiise t; g9, I899.

J. C. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE;

(A nmion filed Jan. 21, 1399. (No Model.) 9 Shanty-Sheet 3.

Lia/0e 11121 Q/cfi a No. 633,2!3. Patenfed Sept. l9, I899.

J. c. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE:

(Application filed Jan. 21, 1899.) I (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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N0. 633,2I3. Paten'ted Sept. l9, I899.

J. C. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

1 (Application file-d Jan. 21, 1899.) I

'(No Model.) 9 shegts sheet 5.

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No. 633,2!3. Pat'ente'd Sept l9, I899.

. J. C. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

(Applicatio n filed Jan. 21, 1899.) (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 6.

Witness-es: m $420671 5% .f- MW N0. 633,2l3. Patented Sept. l9; I899.

J. C. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKSNG MACHlNE.

(Application filed Jan. 21, 1899.) (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 z I 71/41 neqses: 0

sk mmin a 7 No. 633,2l3.

Patented Sept. L9, I899. J. C. PERRY. v WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 21, 1899.)

(No ":dyel.

No. 633,2l3. Patented-S pt-IQ, I899.

' J. C. PERRY.

WIRE FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 21, 1899.) (No Model. 9 Sheets-Sheet 9.

' izer for the strand-wires and the elevations,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WIRE-FENCE-MAKING MAGHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.

633,213, dated September 19, 1899.

Application filed January 21,1899. Serial No. 702,901. (1% model.)

To all whom it may concern).-

Be itknown that I, JOHN C. PERRY, of Olinton, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Wire Fences, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to machines for making wire goods-such as fences, mats,lathing, barbed wire, &c.and has for its object to provide a machine of the having provisions for automatically welding the crossed wires at their points of 'inte'rseo tion, and thereby obviating the necessity of coiling the wires at said points, whereby a greater quantity of finished product is turned out from a given amount of wire than heretofore.

Afurther object of the invention-is to provide the machine with automatic mechanism by means of which its general efiiciency is enhanced, its movements are rendered even and accurate,'and its product is turned out neatly finished and in a high state-f excellence.

To these ends the invention consists of a wire-fabric machine possessing certain char" acteristics or features of construction and arrangement of parts, as illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification,and pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. v Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, and tothe letters andfigu res marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, the same letters designating the same parts or features, as the case may be, wherever they occur.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 represents inside machine embodying my invention, the equalizer for the stay-wire being omitted to prevent confusion. "Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of thesame, the equalsupport for said equalizer being omitted. "Fig. 3 representsa plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 represents'a vertical longitudinal section through the-machine. Fig. 5 represents a detail sectional View of the eccentric-stud for adjusting the gilide-rol-l. Figs. 6 and 7 represent portions of the means for feeding the fabric, and consequently the strand-wires. Figs. 8 and 9 represent portions ofthe machine and class specified illustrate the wire-cutting mechanism and the mechanism for actuating the plungerrail. Fig. 10 represents in detail the mechanism for rotating the stay-wire holder and the lever which operates the plunger-rail. Figs. 11 and 12 parting a step-by-step movement to the fabric-feeding mechanism. Figs. 13 and 14 represent in detail means for imparting a similar movement to the take'np reel. Figs. 15 and 16 represent mechanism for feeding the stay wire across the strand-wires. Figs. 17 to 22, inclusive, represent the coiler, or the mechananism which [employ for coiling the ends of the stay-wires around the selvage or outside strand-wire. Fig. 23 represents a partial section through the machine and illustrates the welding apparatus, including the transformers, the support therefor, the-electrodes, the circuit-breaker, and thoconn ection between the plu ngers and plutiger-operating rail. Fig.

24 represents in sectional view the devices for operatingthc plunger-s from the plunger-rail.

Figs. 25 to .28, inclusive, show in detail the holder for the stay-wires. Figs. 29 to 32, inclusive, represent the electrodes in detail. Figs. to 36, inclusive, represent the weldin g apparatus and the parts adjacent thereto. Fig. 37 represents a sectional view of the plunger-rail and shows the method of connecting the plungenrdd therewith. Fig. 38 represents a diagram of the electric circuit from the main switch through the several automatic switches and primary coils back to the first-mentioned switch.

The machine which is represented upon the drawings and which I shall now proceed to describe is merely one embodiment of my 111- vention and -has been selected for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing the latter, so that consequentlyit will be understood that I am not limited to any of the details of corn struction thereof, and although the machlne represent in detail means fol-imis illustrated and hereinafter described as being arranged to manufacture wire fence, yet it can-be easily adjusted to manufacture lathing, mats, barbed wire, &c., and hence Whenever I use the term wire fence I wish to be understood as including any kindof wire fabric, as well as wi're provided with points or barbs. The wireswhich run or ex tend longitudinally of the fabric 1 term guiding the strand-wires.

strand-wires, while the cross-wires-such as the barbs on a ba'rbed wire, the filling of a woven fabric, or the stay-wires of a fence- I term stay-wires," so that in the description which follows no limitation is intended by the use of the said terms, especially as I may employ in lieu of wires rods or strips of metal. .Again, the machine as illustrated is adapted to manufacture a fabric in which the strand and stay wires intersect each other at right angles; but it is evident that the invention com prehends mechanism for laying them obliquely to each other, as desired. With this explanation I shall now describe the said machine and its mode of operation.

The side standards (indicated at a) are provided with extensions a a, bolted thereto, and they are cross-connected and braced by suitable tie-rods (not shown) in addition to the angle-bar (1*, (for the wire-straighteners,) the support a (for the-welding mechanism,) the cross-bar a, (for the coiling mechanism,) and the table a (for the circuit regulating or controlling mechanism.)

The initial power-shaft b is journaled in bearings b b, resting upon the table a and it is driven by a belt-wheel b in the usual way. The shaft extends but part way across the machine and is provided with a pinion b, inter-meshing with and driving a gear-wheel c on a main shaft 0, journaled in bearin gs c c on the side standards a 'a. Bevel-gears c c transmit power from said shaft to a shaft' d, arranged longitudinally ofthe machine and journaled in bearings d (1'. By these'two ,shafts aredrivcu the operative parts of the machine, including the welding apparatus, the wire-feeding mechanism, and thevstaywire-coilingapparat us,as I shall subsequently make clear.

The straud-wiresA are fed from reels A, placed in front of the machine aud pass under a guide-roll A journaled in bearings A being guided thereto by a comb A', between the teeth of which they pass. From the guideroll A the wires pass upward and over an equalizing-roll e, then horizontally over a roll e, and then downward between the electrodes to the feeding-wheels f, after which they are passed over a roll 6 and are wound upon a take-up reel a The roll e is trunnioned in sockets in the ends of arms a, which are secured upon a shaft 0 journaled in bearings a, supported by forwardly-extending brackets e", bolted to the standards and hung at their outer end from "suspenders e let down from the ceiling, the outer ends of said'brackets supporting a comb e", having teeth a for The shaft e"'is pro-. vided with an inwardly-projecting arm a, which, as shown in Fig. 4, is provided with a roll 6, bearing against a cam c on the main Y shaft 0, so that as the shaft 0 rotates the shaft 0 is rocked and the roll e is raised and lowered. As will be subsequently explained, the strand-wires are fed intermittingly, and were the equalizing 'mcchan ism not employed they would receive jerks at intervals, which would tend to snarl tl'em, whereas by timing the equalizing mechanism properly the roll is raised while the-wire in the machine is pins e, as best shown in the figure 'last referred to.

Between the feed-wheels f and the electrodes is the guiding-roll g, which is adjustable so as to relieve the the fixed electrode from the excessive pressure of the fence and consequent wear. The roll is journaled on the eccentric pin's g, which extend from the inner ends of studs 9 which are rotarily adj ustable in the standards a and are held after adjustment by the set-screw g*, as best shown in Fig. 5.

The mechanism for feeding-the strand-wires through the machine and pulling the completed fence from the electrodes after the welding operation comprises the wheels f f,

. hereinbefore referred to,together with means for imparting an intermittent rotary movement to them. The said wheels ff are equal in number to the strands of the fence, and they are splined upon a shaft f journaled in bearings f supported by the side standards. They are held upon the shaft f by any suitable means, as by set-screws f, (see Fig. 2,) and they are adjustable thereon to vary the distance between the strand-wires, their nu mber being increased or diminished in accordance with the number of strands in the fence. Each wheel is provided with a plurality of grooved teeth f, (see Figs. 6 and 7,) in which the strand-wires rest. The distance between the stay-wires in the fence is determined by the movement of thefeeding-wheels, and the teeth of the said wheels 'are spaced so as to engage the said wires and prevent slipping, said stay-wires operating as sprockets on the strand-wires. Where it is desired to vary the distance between the stay-wires, the feedwheels may be replaced by others having teeth properly spaced to engage them, unless the spaces between the stay-wires are equal to or are multiples of the spaces between the teeth.

The shaft f and the feed-wheels are intermittently rotated by the following devices:'

The gear 0' on the shaft 0 is provided with a rib ffl'having a radial groove or slot f, in which isadjustably' secured a crank-pin f Said crank-pin is connected by an adjustable coupling-rod) with an arm f", loosely mounted on the shaft f and held against axial movement by a collar f and a ratchet-wheel f both rigidly mounted upon said shaft, so that as the gear-wheel c is rotated an oscillating motion is imparted to the arm, as will be readily understood. A pawl f (see Figs. 1,

11, and 12) is mounted on said arm and is arranged to engage the ratchet-wheel f" when the arm is oscillated, said pawl being drawn toward. said ratchet-wheel by a spring f,

connected thereto and to the end of a pin f,

passed through the stud or pivot f, which connects the pawl, the arm f, and the coupling-rod f together. The teeth of the ratchetwheelare equal in number to the teeth on the feed-wheels, and they are engaged by a re-' tainingpawl f, as shown bestin Fig. 1. The movement of the feed-wheels and the feed of the strand-wires may be varied by adjusting the crank-pin f in the radial slot f, so'that the spaces between the stay-wires may be varied at will.

After the strand wires leave the feedwheels they pass over the guide-roll e as I have previously stated,an d by examining Fig. 4 it will be seen that the latter is in a plane above the feed-wheels, so as to lengthen the line of contact of the strand-wires therewith. The said roll e 'is provided 'with trunnions e journaled in bearings in the side'stand-' a'rds a. i

The reel e for the completed fence consists of two semicylindrical timbers 6 mounted in sockets e 2 formed on the ends of stud-shafts 6 e2 journaled in bearings in the rear extension a of the side standards. Said timbers are held in the sockets by wedges a, and when the roll of fence is completed the wedges are withdrawn and the reel is then collapsible, whereby the timbers may be drawn separately from the roll of fence. On the shaft a is a belt-wheel e around whichf a belt is passed from a belbwheel f ,'on the shaftf', said belt being tightened by an or'dinary tightener, such as that shown in Fig. 1. The wheel f is connected to the shaftf by a pawl e and ratchet e sothat the roll is capable of an independent forward rotation to take upslack in the strand-wires. The belt is adapted to slip, so that the reel is driven frictionally at a proper rate of speed. The tightener consists'of a pivoted arm h, connected by a cord or wire it with a shaft k adapted to be rotated by a handle it and to be held against reverse movement by a ratchet 7L and pawl h. On the arm 72. is journaled a loose belt-wheel h in engagement with the belt. By rotating the shaft 71 the belt-wheel may be drawn tightly against the belt to increase its frictional engagement with the beltwheels e and f As the strand-wires leave the roll e to reach the electrodes, they pass between a plurality of staightener-rolls it, journaled on a bracket 1''. There are a pluralityof these brackets, which are mounted upon the angle-bar a said bar being provided 011 its upper face withT-shaped grooves to receive the heads of the securing-bolts, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby said brackets are adjustable transversely on the machine, so as to accommodate themselves to the strandwlres 'm m and pinions m m Having thus explained the means for feeding the strand-wires, I shall now proceed to describe the mechanism for feeding the staywires transversely thereof and the mechanism for holding them during the process of welding. i

The wire B from which the stay wires are cut is drawn from a reel similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and passes around a grooved guidewheel 7', mounted npon the endof an equalizing-armj', fulcrumed by an uprightj' to a braeketfi, extending out from the machine, as shown in plan in Fig. 2. The uprightj forms a standard to support the bracket j and the arm j, and its lowerend is stepped in a block j, the outer end of the arm j being supportedby braces if, as shown in Fig. 2, which bear against the said standardj The thrust of the wire as it is drawn from the reel is taken by a spring which is secured at one end to thearm j and at its other end to a suitable support. (Not shown). The wire I) is fed into the machine intermittently, and consequently the equalizing-arm 7' and spring 7' are employed to draw the wire from the reel evenly to prevent-it from being snarled. When the wire is being-fed into .the machine, the strain upon it swings the ar'mj' forward and the latter assumesits normal position when the feeding movement stops, so that its effect is to draw the wire from the reel slowly and withoutjerking it. From the wheeljthe wire 1) passes in front of a grooved wheel j", journaled on the stud or standard 7' and from thence it passes between the plurality 'of straightening-rolls 7.: 7c, journaled on a plate 70, supported by the bracketj The bracket 1' is itself bolted to a bracket j", which extendsout from one of the standards a and which supports the devices for feeding the staywire. The feeding-wheels are best shown in Figs. 15 and 16, and they are indicated by m and 'm, respectively. The y are provided with intermeshing gear-teeth, whereby their peripheries travel at the same rate'of speed, and

they are also equipped with wire-gripping rings m m between which the wire passes. The wheel m is journaledon a stud-shaft m secured in a movable-bearing pivoted. to and extending out from the bracket 3,-

while the wheel m is keyed to a shaft m, journaled in' bearings on the same'bracket. On either side of the gear-teeth and the ring m the wheel m is formed with ratchet-teeth m and loosely mounted on the shaft m are sleeves *m m, which are formed wit-h arms Each arm m carries a pawlm", asshown in Fig. 15, adapted toengage the teeth m and when the arms are oscillated in opposite directions theyimpart an irit-ermi'ttent-motion to said feedingwheels. are racks m sliding in guides afiorded by the bracketj,;and said racks are connected by rods 'm with crank-pins m adjustably mounted in radial slots incrank-arms m on a shaft m jourualed in the bearings in the Intermeshing with the pinions m gage the ratchet-teeth tate the same, the degree of movement of the said wheel in being varied at will by adj usting the crank-pins 7n. in the slots in the crankarms m As the racks m reach the extremes of their movements they pause momentarily while the crank-pins fill/ pass the dead-centers, and "during the period in which the stay-wire is quiescent it is cut, and the holder therefor, which I shall subsequently describe, is rotated to bring the severed wire into position to be welded to the strand-wires. The shaft m for the wheel on is journaled in arms m fulcrumed on the bracket j, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15, said arm being provided with a lateral extension, to which is pivoted a handle on, having a cam m bearing against a spring mi, connected -to the bracket 9'. ny throwing the handle downward the cam m is engaged with the spring m and the wheel m is forced tightly into engagement with the wheel m; but by raising the lever or handle m the tension upon the w'heelm' is relieved, andthe wheels mm cease to grip the stay-wire between them. By adjusting the crank-pins before referred to the feed-wheels maybe rotated alternately at unequal distances, so as to feed long and short stay-wires alternately in case it be desired to construct a fence with them. The stay-wire passes from the feed-wheels through a tubular guide .01 (see Fig. 2) into the holder shown in Figs. 23 to 28, inclusive. Said holder consists of a plurality of .rolls 0 o, splined upon a shaft 0, journaled in bearings o 0 mounted upon the support a for'the electrodes, (being electrically insulated from said support.) Said shaft 0' is provided with a ratchet-Wheel 0 (see Figs. 35 and 36,)with which engages a pawl 0 mounted on an arm 0 loosely mounted on. the hub of said wheel and held against axial movement by a washerdisk 0, secured to the end of the shaft. Thev arm 0 is connected by arod 0 with a centrally-fulcrumed lever 0 (from which it is electrically insu1ated,) supported by a bracketoi, (see Fig. 10,) mounted upon the angle-bar. 0.

The rear end of the lever 0 has a roll 0 causedby a spring 0 to bear against a .cam q, rigidly secured to the shaft 0, (see Figs. 3 and 1Q,)-sothat as the cam rotates the arm or lever 0 is reciprecated, and the shaft 0' is intermittently rotated. .Each roll 0 consists of two semieyli'ndrical portions rigidly connected by screws 1)",.so that they can be removed from the shaft without t ouble,;said rolls being splined upon the shaft so as to be axially adjustable thereon. Each roll is pro vided in its periphery with a plurality of of the wheel m and rogrooves 0 for the stay-wires, said grooves having flaring mouths or enhances 0' as clearly shown in Figs. .25 and 27.

As each stay-wire is fed by the feedingwheels through the tubular guide it enters the grooves in the rolls which constitute the holder, and when a predetermined length of the stay-wire has been fedit is cut off by means which I shall now describe, and the holder is rotated one step to bring another line of the grooves into alinement with the feeding guide or nozzle n.

In order tohold the stay wire in the grooves in the holder, 1 provide the device shown in Figs. 25 and 26. '1' is a bracket adjustably secured to and insulated from the electrodesupport a over each of the rolls, being connected tosaid supportby bolts r, having their heads sliding in grooves in the front face thereof. The bracket is bent forwardly and downwardly, and to its lower end is secured a stationary guide-bar r having a concave fade to lit the'periphery of the roll. The

guide-bars or retainers are stationary, and.

hence to hold the wires in the grooves 0 when the holder is advanced one stepl employ the auxiliary guides or retainers 0', which are pivoted at'r in the brackets 1" and are pressed against the holder by springs r. W hen each stay-wire reaches its welding'position, upon the rotation of the holder one step, it is held by the retaining-finger 0' until the weldis completed, after which the strand-wires are fed along, carrying] the stay-wire with them, and at this time the retaining-lingers yield to permit the stay-wire to pass out of the grooves 0 in theholder. The guides r operate to retain the stay-wires in the holder when they arelirst fed in; the supplemental retainingfingers holding said stay wires when the holder is rotated.

' In order to limitthe inward movement of the stay-wires,l may employ the stop s, (shown in Figs. 34. and 26,) secured to the support a and projecting into the path of the staywire,-

as best shown in Fig.

The cutting of the stay-wire automatically after a length thereof has been fed into the hole is accomplished by the mechanism shown in detailin Figs. 8 and 9. The cutter-blade t is mounted in an arm t, rigidly secured to a shaft 1 mounted in brackets 5*, extending downwardly from the angle-bar aflwhich is grooved on its front face to receive the bolts which; fasten the brackets 25 thereto. The said brackets are adjustable, so that they may be placed at any point to escape the strand-wires, and the arm 6 is adjustable on the shaft 15 so as to cut the wire at any predetermined point. 0n the end of the shaft 6 is anarm t, which is held by a spring i against a cam 15 on the shaft d. Said cam has an operating rise which, engages a roll at the end of the arm t and quickly operates the knife i.

when the latter is operated and furnish, asit were, a stationary blade. The parts are so timed that the knife is operated when the feedingwrheels m m for the stay-wire have stopped momentarily,as previously described.

From the mechanism which I have now described it will be seen that the strand-wires and stay-wires are automatically fed into the machine and arranged at an angle to each other, whereby they may be welded at their intersection, and hence to accomplish the welding I employ the devices which I shall proceed to describe.

The support a is a plate which extends across the machine and is arranged vertieally, as shown in Figs. 4, 23, 33, 34, and 35, being suitably insulated from the side standards a a. The said plate is grooved on its front face, as at u u, to receive the brackets u and 'v for the electrodes withwhich they are in circuit. The brackets to support the stationary electrodes, (shown in Figs. 31 and 32,) which consist of grooved plates a having shanks a to fit in the brackets u", each shank being engaged by a set-screw u". The brackets are grooved to receive the electrodes, whereby the latter are always maintained in alinement and are easily returned to normal position after being removed. Each electrode a is provided with teeth. or guiding-lugs u and also with a curved yoke or guide it, whose ends are set in sockets in the electrodes, said yokes u preventing the strand-wires from being drawn away from the stationary electrodes during the feeding. The movable electrodes '0 are grooved plates arranged at right angles to the electrodes n and have guiding or positioning lugs or teeth o for the stay-wires, being also provided with shanks 0 extending into the ends of plunger-s o and held therein by set-screws e Said plungers v are grooved to receive said electrodes and hold them in proper relation to the stationary electrodes. The plungets 2 move in guides in the brackets r and are connected to a plunger-rail v by resilient connections, as I shall subsequently explain. The guides r in the ends of the brackets v for the'plungers are each provided with an annular chamber into which a cooling medium, such as water, is introduced through nozzles v the same being drawn therefrom through nozzles 0 On the rear of the plate or support a are adjustably supported the primary and secondary coils of the transformers. The primary coils are indicated at w, and the secondary coils at 51;, said secondary coils being relatively large in cross-section and having two turns. One pole of each secondary coil is electrically connected to thesupport a while the other is connected to either the bracket 1/. or the bracket 22. In order to space the coilsproperly, they are arranged in two rows, as shown in Fig. 23, one above the other, and consequently the brackets 'v are alternately insulated from the support a gthe intermediate brackets being electrically connected thereto. Each alternate bracket 1! is also electrically connected to the support a", the 7 0 remaining brackets beinginsulated therefrom, and the brackets u and r are so arranged that in each pair only one bracket is electrically connected to the support, while the other is insulated therefrom, and hence one pole of each secondary coil is connected to the support, while the other is connected to the bracket 1 or u, which is insulated from the said support. .There are as many pairs of electrodes as there arejoints to be welded in the fence-that is, as many joints as are formed by each stay-wire-and the brackets and the transformer-coils are all so mounted upon the support a thatthey can be adj usted transversely thereof to enable the manufacture of a fence having any suitable number of strands, the parts'being all separable and being easily attached to or disconnected from the machine. The electrodes are so formed that they grasp the wires at their points of intersection and positionthem automatically. The movable electrodes are thrust against the stay-wires 'to bind them firmly against the strand-wires, after which the current is passed through the primary 5 coils to generate a welding-current in the secondary coils.

The plunge r-rail v, before referred to, is reciprocated by two levers '0 (see Figs. 9 and 10,) fulcrumed at t on each of the side frames of the machine and having their upper ends provided with rollers 42 which bear against the cams q onthe shaft 0. The lower end of the lever e is connected by a rod 1) with the plunger-rail is, there being a spring '05 '0 which normally holds the rail at the outward extreme of its movemeut. The plungerrail is connected to each plunger '0 by means of a bolt v having its end'screwed in a head e pivoted in a block o (see Figs. 35 and no moved there is a certainamount of lost mo-' tion, due to the pin-and-slot connectlon with the plunger. A n ute is screwed on the bolt 1", and between it and the rear end of the plunger is arranged a spiral spring 12 so that when the plunger-rail is moved rearward the movable electrode yieldingly engages the stay-wire to posit-ion it and thrust it into contact with the strand-wire. By providing the yielding connection between the plunger-rail and the plunger I compensate for any inequalities in the wires and insure a perfect 0 electrical contact between the electrodes and the wires.

In order to insure that the welding-current shall be of the proper duration, so as to pre- Each head e is in- I I5 vent the burning of the wires, I employ two sets of circuit-controllers, one adapted to be actuated by the plungers and the other to be actuated by the movable part of the machine. The primary circuit is indicated at O and is divided into two or more branches (3', one group ofthe primary coils beingin one branch and the other group being in the-other branch and said branches being arranged in multiple arc in the main circuit. As there are four pairs of electrodes, there are two primary coils in each branch circuit, as indicated in Fig. 38. In the main circuit there is the ordinary hand-switch 1 (see Fig. 4,) and in each branch there is an automatic circuit breaker or controller yy, consisting of a lever f ulcru med on a table or support a in the rear of the machine and suitably insulated therefrom. There are two cams 3 on the shaft 0, which engage rolls upon (and insulated from) the ends of the said levers and throw their outer ends into contact with the stationary contacts y to close the circuit'through the said branches, and I have so arranged the cams 1 that the circuit isclosed first through one branch and then through the other, with slight intervals of rest, so as not/to throw-a heavy load on. the dynamo at any one time. The parts are suitably insulated so that the branch circuits are not closed until the cams 'y' move the switches 31' into contact with the contacts y Arranged in each branch circuit are otherswitches to break each of the branch circuits 3 G into which the circuits 6' O'are divided.

The supplemental or auxiliary controllers each comprise a stationary spring-tensioned contact y, of which there are as many as there are pairs of electrodes, these stationary contacts being supported upon and insulated from an arm y, secured to each bracket U. The movable contacts 'y are mounted on and insulated from a bell-crank 3 i' ulcrumed at g on the arms or brackets 11 Springs y draw the lower ends of the levers if against the bell-crank y, fulcrumed on the brackets c, the lower end of the said bell-cranks 1 extending down far enough for this purpose and resting against lugs on the plungers-b. As said plnngers move inward the lower end of the bell-cranks v follow them until they en gage knife-edges 3 on the said bell-cranks 'y, the several contacts 1 being spring-tensioned to permit this. When the movable electrodes are moved a predetermined distance, set-screws 3 on the plungers engage the bell-cranks y and disengage them from the bell-cranks or stitch-levers y to break the circuit. The circuit is not closed through each pair of electrodes until after the plunger has j ust about completed its movement, so that the strand and stay Wires are first positively engaged with each other'and forced together before the current is passed through them. The electrodes operate as dies for firmly clamping the'wires toliold them in close contact bet'ore the circuit is closed through them. This is an important point in the operation of the machine, for if the electrodes are in circuit before they clamp the wires an arc is apt to form just as they contact, with the wires and a proper weld is prevented. The duration of the welding-circuit is practically very short, for it is closed by one controller and opened by the other. The closing of the two branch circuits 0' C is eifectfed by the switch-lever g, which isoperated by the cam :1 The circuit is closed after the electrodes have clamped the wires and just before the'plungers have reached the extremes of their movements. Almost instantly after the circuits have been closed they. are broken by the auxiliary controllers,

each branch circuit being broken by the plunger which is in that circuit. ny this arrangement it is practically impossible for the machine to stop with the circuit closed so as to burn the wires, as it might were the cams alone depended upon to operate the switch- After the stay-wires have been welded to the strand-wires and the feed-wheels have turned the strand-wires forward to permit of the placing of another stay-wire in position to be welded the projecting end of the staywire which extends beyond the selva-ge or the outer strand-wire is coiled about said strand- Wire by the mechanism shown in detail in Figs. 17 to 22, inclusive. The coiling apparatus consists of a bracket z, adjustably secured to the front face of the cross-barn". Said bracket is formed with a tubular hearing z to receive a cylindrical coiler 2 having formed on its upper edge a pinion 2 Said coiler is slotted, as at .6 to permit the passage-of theiselvage or outer strand-wire and the stay-wires, the guide 2 being formed with a slot 2 to register therewith. On the under side of the coiler .2 is a pin 5, which is adapted to engage the end i) of the stay- Wire and coil it about the strand-wire A, as shown in Fig. 21, there being an abutment or anvil .2 to resist'the thrust thereof. The coiler is operated by a rack 2 engaging the pinion 2?, and reciprocated by a rock-shaft .2, having an arm 2, connected to said raek'by a-rod 2 The rock-shaft 2 is arranged vertically in suitable bearings s 2 attached to v the frame of the machine, and on its upper end is an arm .2 with a roller a, bearing against a cam e on the end of the shaft 0.

The cross-bar a is vertically adjustable in the machine, so as to adjust the coiler verti-cally Whenever desired, while the bracket .2 for said coiler is adjustable longitudinally of said bar a, and the connecting rod 5 is adjustably connected to the rack, whereby the coiling mechanism may be shifted transversely of the machine. The arm .2 is likewise adjustable on the rock-shaft ,2, being splined thereto for this purpose.

The operation of the machine is as follows- Assuming that the strand-wires have been fed from the reels through the various guides past the electrodes and finally secured upon the take-np roll and that the stay-wire has been fed from its reel into position ready for feeding, power is applied to the belt-wheel b t and the main circuit C is closed by means of --at this time.

anentarily in its feeding movement, the cutthe hand-switchy. The stay-wire is fed by its feeding-wheels into the rotatory holder, the strand-wires being also fed forward one step When the stay-wt re pauses moter is actuated to out off a length therefrom, and immediately thereafter the holder is rotated one step to bring the severed length of stay-wire against the strand-wires. The

movementot' the holder brings another line of grooves into alinement with the stay-wire guide, so that the stay-wire can be again fed slowly into the holder while the next sueceeding operationsare taking place. Imme diately after the stay-wire is placed against the strand-wires the plunger-rail o is moved toward. the support a by the cams q and the levers n The plungers force the movable I electrodes againstthe crossed wires and bind them firmly together and firmly against the to operate the circuit-breakers y and break "tact with the stationary contact 1 the circuit in each one of the branch circuits 0 into which the main branch circuits 0' are divided. The plunger-rail is then returned to itsnormal position, and as the plunger-s move back'the switch-levers y are forced back, bringing the contact-pointsyfiintocon- At this time the hallway are rotated sufficiently to permit the switch-levers y to be drawn away from the contacts 11 so as to break the main branch circuits 0 at those points. As the plungers return to their normal positions the feeding-wheels f for the strand-wires are advanced to feed the strand-wires forward and the cycle of operations is completed.

The coiling apparatus is actuated while the strands are quiescent, being operated, as described, by a rack reciprocated by powertransmitting devices .from the shaft 0.

During the intermittent feeding of both the strand and the stay wires the equalizing devices operate automatically to maintain a steady pull upon the .wires in the-reels.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the machine is adapted for many and varied uses. It is so constructed thatthe parts are all capable of adjustment with relation to each other, manyof them being removable or interchangeablc, whereby I am enabled to manufacture upon the same machine wirc fabric of a great many kinds. The distance between the strand-wires may be varied, while the number of strand-wires may be increased or decreased for the formation of a fence or fabric having any desired number of strands.

By employing the movable holder for the slay-wire I am enabled to provideforthe slow in-feeding of saidstayw vire, and thereby prevent the jerking ot-the latter during the feeding operation. The feeding of the stay-wire is practically continuous, it ceasing only momentarily while the wire is being cut and the holder is being rotated to present a stay-wire to the electrodes for the welding operation.

While the strength of the current and the amount of mechanical pressure exerted by the movable electrot'le may be varied, yet for the best results and to make welds quickly I find it preferable to have the movable electrode yieldingly exert upon the parts to be welded attheir point of contact a mechanical pressure ofsuch an intensihv-that the electrode will move forward instantly upon the softening of the metal to-complete the weld-that is, this mechanical pressure is nearly equal to the crushing strength of the material. If a mechanical pressure of much less intensity were used, the movable electrode would not give its final movement quick enough nor until the metal had been softened more than would be necessary for the purposes of the weld. The current should be of relatively large volume to localize its heating actionthat is, to soften the parts to be welded at their point of contact before the heating action has time to extend to more remote portions-of said parts adjacent to the point of contact and which itis not necessary to soften for the purposes of the weld. The machine therefore simultaneously exerts upon the parts to be welded at their point of contact a heavy yielding mechanical pressure and a heavy current, producing a rapid heating action, the movable electrode by which the mechanical pressure is applied to the parts to be welded operating to automatically cutoff the current as the electrode gives its final forward movement upon the softening of the metal.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, though without attemptingtosetforthallof the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use, I declare that what I claim is- 1. A machine of the character specified comprising means for holding the strand and the stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their point of contact consisting of electrodes, an automatic circuitcloser, and an independentautomatic circuitbreaker.

2. A machine of the character specified the stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their point of contact,

consisting of electrodes of which oucis movable, and a device controlled by said movable electrode for closing and opening the current through the electrodes.

3. A machine oi the character specified comprising means for holding the strand and the stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their point of contact, consisting of electrodes of which one is movable and an electrical circuit having two switches in series, means for automatically operating said switches in succession to close the circuit, and a device controlled by the movable electrode for automatically moving the first-closed switch to break the circuit at the completion of the weld.

4. A machine of the character specified eomprisin g a plurality of welding devices,each

consisting of two electrodes of which one is movable, an automatically-movable plungerrail, and operative connections betweemthe movable electrodes and the plnnger-raih 5. A machine of the character specified comprisinga plurality of welding deviceaeach consisting of two electrodes of which one is movable, an automatically-movable plungerrail, and operative yieldingconnections between the movable electrodes and the plungerrail, whereby the electrodes can accommodate themselves to the wires.

6. A machine of the character"specified comprising a plurality of welding devices, ad-

justable mechanism for feeding wires to said' welding devices, and a support on which said welding'dcviees are mounted ad justabl y with relation to each other.

7. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of electrical welding devices, each including electrodes and a transformer, a main circuit inwhieh said weldingdevlces are arranged in multiple arc, and a group,.a circuit-controller for each branch clrcuit, and an auxiliary circuit-controller for each welding device.

10. A machine of the character specified comprising a pluralityof electrical welding devices divided into groups, a main electrical circuit having a branch for each group, a circuit-controller foreach branch circuit, and means for automatically operating said controllers in succession.

11. A machine of the character specified comprising welding-electrodes of which one is movable toward and from the other, and a guide on the stationary electrode for one of the wires.

12. Ina machine of the characterspecified electrical welding means, including elec trodes, and a closed guide for the strand-wireon one of the electrodes.

13. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wirestogether, and a holder for the stay-wire, said holder consisting of a shaft and a plurality of rolls on said shaft, each roll being formed in separable sections adjustably secured to said shaft. I

14, A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically welding a strand and a stay. wire, an automatic cutter for severing the stay-wire, and means for securing said cutter at any adjustment tovar the length ofthe stay-wire. J

15. A machine of the character specifiedcomprisingmeans for electrically welding the strand-and the stay wires, means for feeding the stay-wire from a suitable source of supply, and means for equalizing the stress of the feeding means on the wire.

16. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires, means for feeding the stay-wire from a suitable source of supply, and a yielding equalizing-roll for the stay-wire I 17. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires, a feeding-wheel for said stay-wire, a. pawl and ratchet for rotating said wheel, an arm carrying said pawl,

and a rack and pinion for oscillating said arm.

18. A machineof the character specified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires, a feeding-wheel for said stay-wire, double cranks and operative connections between said cranks and saidwhcel.

19. A machine 'of the character specified com prising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires, a pair of automatically-driven pawls, and a feeding-wheel for said stay-wire actuated by said pawls alternately. Y

20. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically Welding the strand and the stay wires, feed-wheels for said stay-wire, and a spring-pressed handle IIO for holding said wheels in frictional engagernent with the stay-wire. A

:21. A machine of the character specified comprisin g means for electrically welding. the strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, means forintermittingly feeding the strand'-wire,and means for equalizing the stress upon the strand-wire, whereby said wire isdrawn evenly from its reel.

22. A machine of the characterspecified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires at their points of Intersection, means for intermittingl y feeding the strand-wire, and devices between the feeding means and the supply-reel for intermittinglynnwinding the wirefrom'its reel.

23. machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, means for interm ittin gl y feeding the strand-wire, and devices between the feeding means and'the supply-reel for inter- 'to engagethe stay-wires while the strandwires lie in the grooves.

25. A machine of the character specified comprising means for welding the strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, and a feeding-wheel for the strand-wire, said wheel being constructed and arranged to engage the stay-wire which is welded-on the strand-v. ire.

26. .A machine of the character specified, comprising electrodes for welding the strand andthe stay wires at their points of intersection, and means for guiding the strand-wires between said electrodes, said means comprising two or more rolls for said strand-wires, one roll being adjustable transversely of its axis and of the. line of feed of said strand- 27. In amachine of the characterspecified, means for feeding the strandwires, means for electrically welding stay wires to said strand-wires, and mechanism for coiling the projecting ends of the stay-wires around the outer or selvage strand-wire.

28. In a machine of the character specified, means for feeding the strand-wires, means for electrically welding stay-wires to said stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their points of contact, saidv welding means consisting of supports having slots or recesses in their ends, and dies or 'electrodes fitting in the recesses in the said supports.

.30. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires together, said means inclndinga stationary electrode,a movable electrode, and a rail for operating said movable electrode, and means for regulating the electrical current, including a switch operated by the movement of said rail.

' 31. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically welding the strand and the stay wires together, said meansinclndingastalionaryelectrode,amovable electrode and means for operating the last-mentioned electrode, and current-controlling means including a switch, and mechanical connections between the switch and the electrode-operating means, whereby-the circuit is broken when the movable electrode is moved in one direction, and is closed when it is moved in the opposite direction.

A machine of the character specified, comprising a plurality of electrical welding devices, each including electrodes and a transformer, a main electrical circuit having a branch leading to each of said welding devices,-a circuit-closer for each branch circuit and means for automatically operating said closers in succession.

33. In a machine of the character specified, means for applying pressure to the parts to be welded comprising a positively-actuated member, an electrode yieldingly connected to said member, means for applying a current of electricity to said parts comprising a circuit-closer, means for operating the same to close the circuit at the time of the Weld, an independent circuit-breaker arranged to be the electrode, whereby the parts to be Welded are softened at theirpoint of contact and the electrode automatically forced forward to complete the weld and operate the circuitbreaker to break the circuit.

34. In a machine of the character specified, means for applying pressure to the parts to be welded at their point of contact, comprising a positively-actuated member, an elec trode yieldingly connected to said member, means for applying a current of electricity to said parts at their point of contact, comprising a circuit-closer, means for operating the same to close the circuit at the time of the weld, an independent circuit breaker arranged to be operated to break the circuit by the final forward movement of the electrode, whereby when the parts are not in a position for welding, the electrode is given its full movement by said member, and the circuit is opened by the circuit-breaker before it is closedby the circuit-closer.

35. p In a machine of the character specified, means for simultaneously applying to the parts to bu welded at their point of'contact a yielding mechanical pressure nearly equal to the crushing strength of the material, and a operated by the final forward movement of current of electricity of relatively large volume, said means. including 'a yieldinglymounted electrode and a circuit-breakerarranged to be operated thereby.

36.. In a machine of the character specified, mean for simultaneously applying to the parts to be welded at their point of contact,

a yielding mechanical pressure nearly equal I In testimony whereof I have aflixed mysigto the crushing strength of the material, and nature in presence of two witnesses.

a current-of electricity of relatively large volume, said first nentioned means being ar- JOHN PERRY ranged to automatically further force said Witnesses: parts together when the material softens and MARCUS ll. MAY, automatically break the circuit. A. D. IIARRRON. 

